Be part of the flood (Sunday homily)

 Today we celebrate a special occasion just for St. Henry. 

That’s why the readings and the Mass prayers were different.

We recall when this church was consecrated 

by Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk on October 3, 1982.

Here we are, 40 years later. 

And this is a glass-half-full-or-half-empty kind of situation.

The constant of our times is constant change. 

You and I experience it in this parish – 

but that reflects the larger society.

That said, you and I all want this church to be a refuge from that constant froth.

May I point out that when this church was built, 

it was a deliberate expression of change?

This design departs notably from the old, familiar style.

Maybe you like that, or you don’t, but it wasn’t an accident.

The hope was to express openness – not only to the world around us,

But openness to the future.

And the point I’m making is that a certain amount of flux 

was baked into this parish’s DNA right from the beginning.

And I think that “openness” this church building tries to model 

is at work in this community.

If you drive past St. Henry, early, mid-day or evening, 

have you noticed? There’s always some cars, always some activity.

Yesterday our soccer fields were teaming with families.

Day after day, our Parish Activity Center 

has meetings and basketball games,

When it’s not serving our students.

In the midst of the change with our three parishes becoming one,

That activity level is increasing. That’s openness in action.

Thank you for that openness.

It is disorienting and tiring to experience change;

At the same time, your openness is a healthy thing.

The task ahead for all Catholics in our country – 

not just this parish –

is to rethink and reorient how open we are, 

how engaging we are, in sharing our faith.

For the longest time, we Catholics were so low-key about that.

This is a culture shift and it won’t be easy.

Forgive me for reminding you: when you and I met three years ago, 

and I listened to the questions and observations of our parishioners,

a frequent yearning was to revive the practice of our Faith, 

to bring people back in these doors, and to bring new people, if we can.

If you and I are going to do anything with that desire, we can’t sit still.

So, on the one hand, 

I agree with those who’d like a little rest from change!

On the other hand, we don’t want to get stiff and stuck.

This church was designed to challenge us to action. 

Surely you noticed, the light comes in and changes through the day.

We need a refuge, but we don’t want to close ourselves off.

Indeed, you and I must be willing to be that water that flows out, 

as we heard described in the first reading. 

If you noticed, it starts as a trickle – 

that’s a symbol of each of us individually; 

but all those trickles become a flood, giving life.

That flood happens as each of us shares our hope with others.

So, here’s the answer to the question that always comes up:

How do any of us, as ordinary Catholics, engage in evangelization?

What does that mean?

It means, be a disciple yourself – be serious about your faith, 

grow in holiness, 

and that will feed the light in you that shines to others.

Being a witness means little things, little trickles of water:

Invite neighbors and friends to share coffee or a meal.

Welcome them to pray here.

In this church, we have a Rosary on Monday evenings, 

exposition on First Fridays, 

and the doors are open every day.

There are other opportunities at Our Lady of Good Hope and St. Mary. 

In the next few weeks, we have retreats for men and women. Come! Bring friends!

Would you like to help assemble blessings in a bag 

or to walk with women facing challenging pregnancies?

Contact our parish office to learn more.

Would you like to be part of a prayer group, or a Bible study?

We’ve got too many such opportunities to list. Call and ask.

These, too, are opportunities to invite others.

Sometimes, some of us can be more salty than fresh water!

There’s always something to find wrong if you look.

And that’s OK, because finding leads to fixing. 

Let me know what you see and want to suggest.

That said, there’s far more good to celebrate and life to share.

Lots of fresh water, lots of life; and you and I can add to it. 

Be part of that flood!